The Fireplace

This open stone fireplace, a memorial to the past, is dominated by a 4.6- metre chimney erected in 1938 by the Société Provancher. 

A bronze plaque on the mantelpiece pays tribute to Father Henri Nouvel, the Jesuit who visited Île-aux-Basques in 1663 with his companion Charles Amyot. The plaque reminds us that Basque whalers had also visited the island in the 16th and 17th centuries, between 1584 and 1637.

Photo credit : Christine Gagné

Since 1924, by erecting a number of monuments, the Société Provancher has highlighted certain historical facts and recognized the outstanding contribution of its members and collaborators. For example, in 1930 it had an impressive stone cross built on Razade d'en Haut. The cross was restored in 2022. It commemorates the 'miraculous' rescue of seal hunters from the Trois-Pistoles region who were trapped in the ice in 1841. The 4.2-metre monument has a concrete pedestal topped by a cross carved from a single stone. What a construction challenge for its time!

Photo credit : Société Provancher

You have to look off to the east to see the two Razades islands, respectively 7 and 10 kilometres from Île aux Basques. They are part of the Île-aux-Basques National and Historic Park. Both islands are small. Razade d'en Haut is 1.15 hectares in size and Razade d'en Bas, 0.58 hectares. They are composed of shale like their big sister, Île aux Basques, which covers 62.14 hectares.

The Razades are home to nesting waterfowl, including the common eider. This sea duck shares the islands with the double-crested cormorant, herring gull, great black-backed gull, black-legged kittiwake and razorbill. 

In May each year, Société Duvetnor members come here to harvest eiderdown. The painstaking process is intended to keep disturbance of the nesting birds to a minimum. The proceeds from this harvest are reinvested by the Société Duvetnor to protect natural environments.

Credit photo : Société Provancher

In May each year, Société Duvetnor members come here to harvest eiderdown. The painstaking process is intended to keep disturbance of the nesting birds to a minimum. The proceeds from this harvest are reinvested by the Société Duvetnor to protect natural environments.

Credit photo : Yvan Bédard